Page 60 of Crimson Vows

“We had no choice,” Marco whispers, his voice thick with regret. “Vincent... he had to make an example of Anthony so nobody else would dare try something in the future. I told Vincent your father needed to be removed.”

Removed. The word made it sound so innocent. The reality was he advised Vincent that my father should be murdered. If Marco hadn’t said that, would Vincent never do what he did? Did he end his life after we left the boat that night because he trusted in Marco’s advice? Was this man standing before me partially responsible for his death?

Tears blur my vision as anger bubbles within me. I clench my fists at my sides, staring at Marco. I’ve already made peace with the fact my father’s choices were what led to his ultimate demise. What hurts me is he is only now sharing this with me.

I shake my head. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“I thought it was the bullet from the gun you fired that night that killed your father,” he explains. “I didn’t see what good telling you any of that would do.”

“Fine, so why are you telling me now?” I ask, looking at Marco’s face, trying to reconcile the images of the man who advised my father be executed with the man I agreed to marry because of how fiercely he cared for me. It’s hard to fathom they are one and the same.

“Because there is no reason Vincent would listen to anything I have to say about this situation. I already advised him on what to do in this exact situation. I told him your father needed to die if he wanted to retain power. He will know he has to do the same now.”

“That’s ridiculous,” I argue, trying not to focus on the revelation that Marco’s hands were not completely clean when it came to my father’s death. “You are his consigliere and his cousin. There has to be a deeper desire to believe what you say to be true. Why even talk to Amelia if you think none of this matters?”

“Because I have to try,” he answers honestly. “But Amelia understands the dangers as much as I did when I told Vincent your father had to be dealt with. I can’t see why she would advise him any differently about me.”

His confession sends a jolt of reality through me. “Then we need another plan. I’m not going to lie down and let the King family destroy everyone I care about.”

“I told you, there is no way we can win against Vincent.”

I grab Marco’s hand. “We could run,” I say, surprising even myself.

Marco’s eyes widen, a flicker of hope before the shadows reclaim it. “Run?” he echoes, gripping my hand in return.

I nod. “You asked me if I ever dreamed of walking away from all of this.”

“That was just talk.”

“Well, I have my passport, and cash is waiting in a safety deposit box that my father set up. It’s probably enough for us to get far away from all of this and start over.”

He searches my face, the idea tempting him for just a heartbeat. Then I can see on his face when reality crashes back.

“Gia,” Marco says, his words heavy with a warning. “You know Vincent will hunt us down. If he finds us...” He swallows hard.

My pulse quickens, but I don’t let go of his hand. “Maybe, but if we stay and you’re right, your fate will be the same. At least we have a chance with running.”

He is quiet as he considers my proposal. As I stand waiting for an answer, I wonder what I will do if Vincent won’t listen to reason and Marco refuses to run. Would I leave without him? Am I strong enough to be on my own, always looking over my shoulder?

“If I stay, I can tell them you had no part in any of this. I think I can convince Vincent of at least that.”

My face is instantly hot. “No! Absolutely not. This is insane!” I cry out in frustration. “Fuck! All of this is nuts. You didn’t do anything. We were only talking. You were the one who said you would never betray Vincent. He can’t kill you for being loyal.”

“Maybe you’re right.” His voice is low, haunted. “There’s a chance I’m completely overreacting, and Vincent will understand it was all a misunderstanding. But I can’t take that gamble if there is a chance your life is on the line.”

I reach out, my fingers brushing Marco’s arm as he prepares to leave. “I don’t care if I always have to be looking over my shoulder. If running is our only option, that is what we do.”

“You won’t ever be able to speak to anyone you know. We would have to become invisible to even have a chance of surviving,” Marco tells me as if I’m not already fully aware of what a life on the run would look like.

I nod. “I know. Whatever it takes, we all survive. That’s the only option. You talk to Amelia while I clean out my safety deposit box. If you get the slightest hint that things are not going the way we hoped, I want you to promise me we’ll leave together immediately.”

He pauses, the muscle in his jaw clenching. His eyes meet mine. “Gia, Dante and Nico will be in just as much danger if we run.”

“Then we take them with us,” I say matter-of-factly.

Marco scoffs before realizing I’m serious about my demand. He reaches out, wrapping me in an embrace. His lips find mine, desperation mingling with passion in a kiss that steals my breath.

“I love you,” he whispers against my mouth, the words vibrating like a lifeline.

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